Government appoints new head of disability equality department

The government has appointed an executive with 25 years’ experience of working with disabled people to head its Office for Disability Issues (ODI).
Tim Cooper, who is profoundly deaf, is managing director of Shaw Trust’s work and independence division, and previously worked in business development and marketing for the disability employment charity.
He has also set up a charity to provide supported housing and residential care for people with learning difficulties, chaired the UK’s first advocacy agency, and worked for the disability charity Scope.
Cooper said: “There are some real challenges ahead as we step up our engagement with disabled people and build on the relationships with colleagues across government.
“This will help us to translate policy into tangible service delivery that supports disabled people in their day-to-day lives.”
He will take up the new post as director in September.
The ODI was set up in 2005 to help deliver equality for disabled people by 2025, and to act as a champion for disabled people across government.
May